The father of Trayvon Martin will serve as Florida A&M's honorary captain this football season after giving an impassioned speech to the team Sunday, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Tracy Martin's speech to the Rattlers was inspiring and head coach Earl Holmes said the team gave him a standing ovation after speaking. Martin's son, Trayvon, was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., in a case that drew national attention and debate. Last month, George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting.

"He had some inspiring words and the guys played off of that," Holmes told the Sentinel. "And we're going to keep pushing for him and his foundation. He'll be an honorary captain for us this year and he's welcome any time."

Martin will handle the pregame coin toss in Florida A&M's season opener against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 1 in Orlando.

"At the end of the day, whether it's good, bad or indifferent, a parent lost a child. He can live through us and we're going to push on for him," Holmes added. "That was very, very powerful meeting and a powerful message he gave to the kids. You could see it … the guys' eyes just lit up."